Last Two of 11 Bounty Hunter Bloods/Nine Tech Gangsters Convicted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2011

NORFOLK, Va. – With the entry of two guilty pleas today, 11 members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods/Nine Tech Gangsters street gang have all pled guilty for their roles supporting a criminal racketeering enterprise that engaged in murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, assaults, and narcotics trafficking.

Today, Jamyia Rashad Brothers, 24, of Portsmouth, Va., pled guilty in Norfolk federal court to the murders of John and Ronald Trollinger of Portsmouth, Va. He also pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Jerrell Ivey Woodley, a/k/a “Rell,” 25, also pled guilty today to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in connection with an armed assault. Brothers will be sentenced on January 9, 2012 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Woodley is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2012 and also faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Brothers and Woodley, the last two defendants in this case, entered their guilty pleas before United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

According to court documents, on December 15, 2007, Brothers and another member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods/Nine Tech Gangsters (BHB/NTG) executed a home invasion of a residence in Portsmouth, Virginia. During the course of the home invasion robbery, Brothers shot and killed both John and Ronald Trollinger. John Trollinger was shot in the chest and in the back of the head, and Ronald Trollinger was shot in the chest. Brothers also shot a third individual in the abdomen, who then played dead and was able to survive his wounds. Two other individuals in the residence were able to escape out the backdoor without any injuries. After the shootings, Brothers and the other BHB/NTG gang member fled the scene.

With the guilty pleas of Brothers and Woodley, all 11 defendants who were indicted on April 14, 2011 have been convicted. The indictment alleged their acts of violence include multiple murders, attempted murders, robberies, maiming, and assault with a dangerous weapon. It also detailed how members of this organization identified themselves by the colors red and black, the number “5,” the five-point star, hand signs, graffiti and the “Dog Paw” tattoo, which consists of three dots forming a triangle on the upper right shoulder of the gang member. The gang members were charged with engaging in home invasions, drug dealing, and violent retaliation against members of rival gangs.

The indictment further alleged that some defendants were top generals, leaders, and gang members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods (BHB) and the Nine Tech Gangsters (NTG), who have been operating in various neighborhoods in Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Chesapeake, Va., since the early 2000s. According to law enforcement, they joined forces in a procedure known as Atying flags@ to increase their joint influence and their ability to make money.

In addition to Brothers and Woodley, the defendants who have pled are:

Dearnta LaVon Thomas, a/k/a “Bloody Razor,” 24,one of the founders and a three-star general of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set in Portsmouth, Va. He pled guilty to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime on June 27, 2011, and will be sentenced on October 18, 2011.

Kiwanii Edward Mosely, a/k/a “Ghost,” 23, a former member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set in Portsmouth, Va., and later a member of the Nine Tech Gangsters. He pled guilty to RICO and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on August 16, 2011, and will be sentenced on November 28, 2011. The racketeering acts he participated in as a gang member included a double homicide.

Amaad Jamaal Brantley, 23, a leader within the Bounty Hunter Bloods set in Suffolk, Va. He pled guilty to RICO and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime on August 4, 2011, and will be sentenced on November 14, 2011.

Darius Demarco Prayer, 46, an associate of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set of the Bloods street gang in Suffolk. He pled guilty to RICO and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime on September 14, 2011, and will be sentenced on January 4, 2012.

Darren Antoine Pollard, a/k/a “Wimpy,” 34, an associate of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set of the Bloods street gang in Suffolk. He pled guilty to RICO and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on July 28, 2011, and will be sentenced on November 9, 2011.

Tyrone Williams Jr., a/k/a “TJ,” 22, a former member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set in Suffolk and an associate of the Nine Tech Gangsters. He pled guilty to RICO and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime on July 13, 2011, and will be sentenced on October 31, 2011.

Draindell Domonta Bassett, 22, a member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods set of the Bloods street gang in Suffolk and an associate of the Nine Tech Gangsters. He pled guilty to RICO on August 16, 2011, and will be sentenced on November 21, 2011.

Roderick Allen Cotton, a/k/a “Rod,” 23, an affiliate of the gang who pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on July 12, 2011, and will be sentenced on October 18, 2011.

Marcellous Cornelius Small, a/k/a “Peanut,” 23, a member who pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime on September 8, 2011, and will be sentenced on December 14, 2011.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Portsmouth Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William Muhr and V. Kathleen Dougherty are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.